[Ammi]

...I don't have time to listen to the article atm../I'll put it on my playlist and try to another time...but I think generally for me and like many other things, it depends on the context whether it be in the workplace or anywhere..'love' and 'sweetheart' and such the like can be used in an intentionally patronising/condescending way and then they may cause offense because that was the intention and the vein at the time...although I still wouldn't be offended as such but more just amused I think...but they're quite often used affectionately as well as terms of endearment, I think that most of us generally know which way they're meant...